“Fall” in Love with Ellicottville

Most people in western New York are familiar with Ellicottville’s Fall Festival, which is Friday, October 5 through Sunday, October 7 in 2018. Fall Festival attracts crowds in excess of 30,000 people annually. But most of those festival-goers are unaware of the fact that Ellicottville is the perfect vacation destination all season long! Ellicottville has much to offer in the way of cool-season activities.

Take a Hike

You know all of those great ski runs you’ve enjoyed in the winter? Those hills are criss-crossed with access roads that make great hiking trails. You will enjoy fabulous vistas for fall color viewing. The hills are generally pretty quiet in the fall, so you will probably see lots of birds and wildlife too.

Spruce Lake at the top of Holiday Valley Road is a favorite hike for locals. There is a level trail that goes around the perimeter of the lake, making for easy hiking.

The 584 mile Finger Lakes trail system goes through Ellicottville. You can print the map online or purchase sections of the map at Adventure Bound. You may even meet a through-hiker on the trail!

Speaking of the Finger Lakes trail… a portion of the trail system runs through a very unique collection of rock formations, known as Little Rock City.

Go For a Ride

Ellicottville boasts one of the most comprehensive trail systems in all of western NY. The Western NY Mountain Bike Association (WNYMBA) is to be thanked for the industrious trail-building efforts that have yielded some spectacular rides in our area. Stop by the store to purchase a $10 Ellicottville mountain bike trail map. A portion of the proceeds are used to fund WNYMBA activities.

In addition to WNYMBA trails, Holiday Valley has a flow trail that can be accessed from the base of Yodeler Ski Lodge. The flow trail is one of the easiest ways to access Spruce Lake on a mountain bike. Though it may be counter-intuitive, many riders find that switchbacks on the single track flow trail are more ridable and aesthetically pleasing than going straight up the paved Holiday Valley road.

Enjoy Fall Colors from the Water

Even though Spruce Lake weekend SUP and kayak rentals are winding down during the fall, we are still able to open our rental kiosk for groups of six or more. Rental rates are still $35 for a two hour rental, and it is likely you will have the entire lake to yourself!

For a really special experience, consider a private float trip down the Allegany River. We offer private trips on SUPs or kayaks for 10 people more. Rates are $100 per person for a 3 hour trip.

Explore Holiday Valley’s Adventure Park

Fall offers perfect temperatures for Holiday Valley’s Mountain Coaster and Sky High Adventure Course. If you haven’t had the opportunity to play in the trees on the ropes course and zoom through the forest on zip lines, don’t delay another day! The courses are appropriate for beginners to experts and provide fun as well as an opportunity to use your problem-solving skills.

Catch a Fish!

If you are an avid fly fisherman, you know that western NY becomes an international destination for anglers seeking the adrenaline-producing thrill of facing off against a steelhead on the other end of the rod. We have world-class Orvis-endorsed fly fishing guides who will share tips and top-secret destinations with clients. Half day float trips are available for $325 and full day float trips are available for $450 for up to two clients in the boat.

Fall is a great time to beat the heat and skip the crowds while savoring those last precious days of warm sunshine. Come visit us in Ellicottville and see why many locals say that fall is the best season of the year!